Samuel Flatto-Sharon called on the Jerusalem District Court yesterday to lift all restrictions imposed on him and to return the IL 10 million bail on which he was released from custody pending the disposition of an extradition request by France. Flatto, who won a Knesset seat in the May 17 elections, based his appeal on the law granting immunity to Knesset members.
The millionaire financier is wanted in France on charges of illegal financial activities and fraud. He fled to Israel in 1972 and became a citizen. Extradition proceedings have been stalled because, according to the Justice Ministry, the French request omitted certain pertinent details. Flatto asked the court to rescind the attachment of his property in Israel, to return his passport which was deposited with the police and to lift the ban on his leaving the country. The court is expected to consider his request on Wednesday.
Flatto has troubles in another area. A disenchanted supporter, former wrestling champion Raphael Halperin, announced last week that he would challenge the legality of Flatto’s election. He said he would submit "information about Flatto’s irregular election practices" to the Central Election Committee unless the MK-designate renounced his Knesset seat. A spokes man for Flatto said that libel action would be brought against Halperin.
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